대한대장항문학회

Purpose: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in proteolysis of<br>basement membrane for initiation of metastatic cascade. Tissue inhibitors of<br>metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are specific inhibitors of MMPs. The purpose of this study was<br>to evaluate the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in human colorectal carcinomas. Methods:<br>The paraffin blocks of 140 colorectal carcinomas were recalled and immunostained with<br>monoclonal antibodies specific for MMP-2 and TIMP-2. These antibodies were effective on<br>formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections. The rate of stain was estimated, and the<br>relationships between the expression and the stage, the differentiation, lymph node<br>metastasis, distant metastasis and the survival rate were assessed. Results: MMP-2 was<br>present in 31.4% of colorectal cancers. TIMP-2 was identified in 63.6% of tumors. The<br>expression of MMP-2 was significantly associated with the presence of lymph-node<br>metastasis, the stage, and the presence of distant metastasis. However the expression of<br>TIMP-2 was not correlated with any risk factors. Conclusions: These results suggest that<br>MMP-2 could predict the ability of cancer invasion and be used as a prognostic factor for the<br>colorectal adenocarcinoma.<br>